Latch control apparatus



1959 H. GOODFELLOW 2,898,139

LATCH CONTROL. APPARATUS Filed March 16, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l H. E. GOOD FELLOW LATCH CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Aug. 4, 1959 Filed March 16. 195

, opposite directions from a normal position.

ited- 2,898,139 Fatented Aug. 4, 1 959 Fire LATCH CONTROL APPARATUS Harry Edwin Goodfellow, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to Jervis Corporation, Grandville, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 16, 1956, Serial No. 572,135

7 Claims. (Cl. 292-3363) This invention relates to apparatus for controlling a latch mechanism and, in particular, latch control apparatus which permits release of a latch mechanism by movement of a manually operable handle in either of two It is an object of the invention to provide improved apparatus of that character.

Latch mechanisms are most commonly arranged to be released such that an associated door may be opened by a pull on the latch handle. However, in the event that the operator has both hands occupied, it is most convenient that the operator be able to release the latch mechanism by pushing against the handle with his elbow. For convenience in operation, then, it is desirable that a door handle be effective in releasing the associated door latch upon movement of the handle in either of two opposite directions. Latch control mechanism permitting such dual operation calls for means which will convert movement of one element in either of two opposite di rections from a normal position to movement of another element in one specified direction.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved latch control apparatus for performing this functlon.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for performing this function while being very simple in construction, eflicient, and reliable.

This invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational View, partially broken away, of latch control apparatus illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the same apparatus taken along line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the same apparatus taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the direction and amount of movement of various points on one member of the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 1-3.

As is best seen in Fig. 3, a manually operable handle 11 of conventional form is shown pivotally mounted on a shaft 12. An arm 13 integral with the handle 11 extends inwardly (to the left in Fig. 3), and it is this arm which transmits the force and the motion of the handle to the inner operating mechanism. This force and motion is ultimately transmitted to a latch mechanism 14 diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1. It is intended that pivotal movement of the handle 11 in either direction from its normal position causes operation, and more specifically release, of the latch mechanism 14. However, pivotal movement of the handle 11 in alternative directions from its'normal position causes movement ofvthe arm 13 in alternative directions whereas the latch mechanism 14 is releasable only when its operating arm 15 is pivoted in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1. It is the principal purpose of the intermediate control apparatus to convert alternative movement of the arm 13 in opposite directions from normal position to unidirectional movement. This provides that the operating arm 15 of the latch mechanism may always be moved in a clockwise direction even though the handle 11 and the associated arm 13 may move in opposite directions from their normal positions.

The free end of the arm 13 is received by a plate 20, the arm extending through an opening 20a therein. As best seen in Fig. 1, the plate 20 has a pair of spaced elements 18 and 19 which are disposed at one end of and close arcuate slots 21 and 22 and which define an axis. Cooperating with said elements is a pair of spaced formations which preferably are pins 23 and 24 and which are fixedly secured to base plate 25. Pins 23 and 24 extend through slots 21 and 22 respectively and serve as alternative pivots for the plate 20.

In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the upper end of the slot 21 could be openended if desired, but the lower end must be closed such that the, left-hand side of the plate 20 cannot move upwardly beyond the position illustrated in Fig. 1. Conversely, the lower end of the slot slot 22 may be openended, if desired, but the upper end must be closed such that the right-hand side of the plate 20 cannot move downwardly beyond the position illustrated in Fig. 1. In the interest of clarity, the lower end of the slot 21 and the upper end of the slot 22 will hereinafter be re ferred to as the closed ends of these slots, in keeping with the fact that these ends must be closed, whereas the opposite ends, While they are shown closed, may be open.

The slots 21 and 22 are arcuate, each slot being centered about the closed end of the other slot. It should be noted also that the slots 21 and 22 extend from their closed ends toward opposite sides of the axis defined by said spaced elements. These factors make it possible for th plate 21) to pivot from its normal position, shown in Fig. 1, in a counterclockwise direction only, but about either of the two pivots, namely, either of the two pins 23 and 24. If the handle 11 is pulled to the right in Fig. 3, the arm 13 will rise and will tend to lift the center portion of the plate 20. It Will readily be seen upon reference to Fig. 1 that the upward thrust by the arm 13 against the center of the plate 20 will cause pivotal movement of the plate 20 in a counterclockwise direction about the pin 23. If the handle 11 is moved to the left in Fig. 3, the arm 13 will be forced downwardly. Referring again to Fig. 1, it will-be seen that a downward thrust by the arm 13 against the center portion of the plate 20 will cause a counterclockwise pivoting of the plate 20 about the pin 24.

It will now be seen that With the plate 20 in its normal position, illustrated in Fig. 1, movement of the arm 13 up or down causes pivotal movement of the plate 2'!) about different ones of the two pins 23 and 24, but that the direction of pivotal movement of the plate 20 will, in either case, be counterclockwise.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the plate 20 includes an arm 26 which is integral therewith and extends downwardly to terminate substantially directly below the arm 13. A link 27 is pivotally connected at one end to the arm 26 through a pin 28, and is pivotally connected at its other end through a pin 29 to the operating arm 15 of the latch mechanism 14. Transmission of force and movement from the handle 11 to the latch mechanism 14 may now be traced. When the handle is pulled out, the arm 13 moves upwardly, the plate 20 pivots in a counterclockwise direction about the pin 23, the link 2'7 is drawn to the right, and the operating arm 15 of the latch mechanism is pivoted in a clockwise direction.

When the handle is pushed in, the arm 13 moves down, the plate 20 pivots in a counterclockwise direction about the pin 24, the link 27 is again pulled to the right, and the operating arm 15 of the latch mechanism is again pivoted in a clockwise direction. In either case, when the handle 11 is released, a suitable spring return device 14a may draw. all operating parts back to their normal positions. Such a spring return may be located at any desired point, and in the illustrated embodiment of the invention such spring return apparatus is incorporated Within the latch mechanism 14. Such spring return apparatus urges the link 27 to the left in Fig. l, and when the handle 11 is released, the link 27 pivots the plate in a clockwise direction back to its normal position wherein the pins 23 and 24 engage the above defined closed ends of the slots 21 and 22. It should be noted that the normal position of the plate 20 is therefore its full clockwise position.

Apparatus has been shown and described which con" verts movement of one element in either of two opposite directions to movement of another element in one specified direction. More specifically, movement of the handle 11 in either of two opposite directions from its normal position draws the link 27 to the right in Fig. 1, whereby movement of the handle 11 in either of two opposite directions may cause release of the associated latch mechanism 14. This is accomplished with very little energy being lost in friction as may readily be seen by reference to Fig. 1.

The principle of operation of the illustrated device may best be understood by reference to Fig. 4. In this figure a circular member 20 simulates the plate 20, extended substantially beyond its pivotal axes 23 and 24 in all directions. If the center of the member 20' moves downwardly a distance equal to the length of the solid arrow such that the member 20' pivots about axis 24, corresponding to pin 24, various points on the member 2t) will move according to the length and direction of the other solid arrows in Fig. 4. Conversely, if the center of the member 20' is moved upwardly a distance equal to the dotted arrow 50, the member 20 will pivot about the axis 23, corresponding to pin 23, and various points on the member 20' will move in the direction and in the amount indicated by the dotted arrows in Fig. 4. Note that all of the solid arrows are tangential about the pivotal axis 24' whereas the dotted arrows are tangential about the pivotal axis 23'.

The arrows 41 and 51 will be seen to extend in the same direction, although their radii of curvature would be seen to be different if they were sufiiciently extended. The dotted arrow 51 is substantially longer than the solid arrow 41, indicating that the associated point on the member 20 will move farther when the center point of the member 20' moves up and the member pivots about the axis 23 than when the center of the member moves down and the member pivots about the axis 24. If, in a given application, the length of movement were of no particular concern, the link 27 could be attached to the plate 20 at a corresponding point. It will be apparent that as this point is moved farther outwardly away from the two pivotal axes, the dotted and solid arrows would be closer to the same length.

A similar analysis applies to the arrows 42 and 52 at a corresponding point at the opposite side of the member 20'.

A point located along the vertical diameter of the member 20 in Fig. 4 has a different characteristic of movement in that the length of the solid and dotted arrows for a given point are always the same but their directions differ. As the test point is moved farther out away from the center of the member 20', the dotted and solid arrows grow longer and the angle between them grows smaller. For example, the arrows 43 and 53 are about half as long as the arrows 44 and 54, whereas the angle between the former is greater than the angle between the latter. Note that the arrows 45 and 55 are similar to the arrows 43 and 53, but extend in opposite directions, and that the arrows 46 and 56 are similar to the arrows 44 and 54, but extend in opposite directions.

In an application in which the amount of movement is preferably equal but in which the direction of movement may differ slightly, a point lying on the vertical diameter of the plate 20 of Fig. 1 is advantageous. In the application shown, the link 27 may be of considerable length, whereby a slight difference in the direction of movement of the pin 28, depending on whether the handle 11 is pulled or pushed, will have relatively little effect upon operation. For this reason the link 27 is connected to the plate 20 at a point lying along a line which bisects and is perpendicular to a line drawn between the pins 23 and 24 when the plate 20 is in normal position. The arm 26 on the plate 20 is extended a substantial distance from the pins such that substantial motion is obtained along nearly parallel lines.

Reference to the diagram of Fig. 4 reveals the desired point for attaching a load to the member 20 depending upon the type of movement which is desired.

Referring again to the actual construction of the illustrated embodiment of the invention, it will be seen in Figs. 2 and 3 that an elastic sealing member 30 is provided for preventing the passage of air through the opening which is necessarily provided for the arm 13. Since this member has thin walls of flexible material, it will be understood that it will readily follow the arm 13 as it moves and will not substantially restrict its movement.

A number of modifications may be made in the illustrated embodiment. For example, the pin and slot arrangement may be reversed. That is, the slots may be fixedly positioned with respect to the base and the pins may be mounted on the movable element such that the pins move relative to the base within the slots. Other such changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

While the present description sets forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, numerous changes may be made in the construction without deviating from the spirit of the invention, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for controlling a latch mechanism mounted on a base, said apparatus comprising a member having a pair of spaced elements defining an axis, a first arcuate slot extending from one of said elements on one side of said axis and centered about the other of said elements, a second arcuate slot extending from the other of said elements on the opposite side of said axis and centered about said first mentioned element, a member supporting a pair of pins spaced apart by a distance equal to the distance between said spaced elements, said pins extending through said slots and engaging said elements when said members are in normal position with respect to each other, one of said members being fixed to the base, the other of said members being pivotal in one direction only from its normal position alternatively about said pins, spring means urging said other member towards its normal position, a manually operable element operatively connected to said one member at a point intermediate said pins and said elements when said other member is in its normal position, said manually operable element being movable from a normal position corresponding to said normal positon of said other member in opposite directions, transverse to the axis defined by said spaced elements, and a link operatively connected at one end to such latch mechanism and pivotally connected at its other end to said other member at a point substantially removed from each of said pins.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said link is pivotally connected at its other end to said other member at a point removed from each of said pins by a distance at least equal to the distance between said pins.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which said link is pivotally connected at its other end to said other member at a point lying substantially on a line which is perpendicular to and bisects said axis and which point is removed from said pins by a distance at least equal to the distance between said pins.

4. Apparatus for controlling a latch mechanism mounted on a base, said apparatus comprising a member having a pair of spaced elements defining an axis, a first arcuate slot extending from one of said elements on one side of said axis and centered about the other of said elements, a second arcuate slot extending from the other of said elements on the opposite side of said axis and centered about said first mentioned element, a member supporting a pair of pins spaced apart by a distance equal to the distance between said spaced elements, said pins extending through said slots and engaging said elements when said members are in normal position with respect to each other, one of said members being fixed to the base base, the other of said members being pivotal in one direction only from its normal position alternatively about said pins, spring means urging said other member towards its normal position, a manually operable control handle mounted on the base for pivotal movement about a second axis substantially parallel to the first mentioned axis, said handle having an arm pivotally connected to the other of said members intermediate said pins, said handle being pivotal in opposite directions from a normal position corresponding to said normal position of said other member in opposite directions transverse to said first mentioned axis, and a link operatively connected at one end to such latch mechanism and pivotally connected to its other end to said other member at a point substantially removed from said pins.

5. Apparatus for controlling a latch mechanism comprising a member having portions thereof defining two spaced pivots and an axis bisecting said pivots, said member being pivotally movable in one direction alternatively about said pivots, a manually operable element operatively connected to said member at a point intermediate said pivots and movable in opposite directions along a path which transverses said axis, and a link operatively connected to said latch mechanism and pivotally connected to said member at a point substantially removed from said pivots.

6. Apparatus for controlling a latch mechanism comprising a first member having two spaced formations defining an axis, a second member pivotally movable relative to said first member and having two spaced elements, one of said elements being engageable with one of said formations and disposed on one side of said axis and the other of said elements being engageable with the other of said formations and disposed on the opposite side of said axis, spring means urging said member towards its normal position in which both of said elements are engaged with said formations, manually operable means movable in opposite directions transverse to said axis to efiect pivotal movement of said second member in one direction only, and a link pivotally connected to said second member at a point removed from said elements and adapted to be connected to said latch mechanism.

7. An apparatus for controlling the latch mechanism comprising a fixed member having formations thereon defining two spaced pivots and an axis bisecting said pivots, a relatively movable second member having two spaced elements cooperating with the pivot defining formations of said fixed member, one of said elements being disposed on one side of said axis and engageable with one of said formations and the other of said elements being disposed on the opposite side of said axis and being engageable with the other of said formations, said second member being pivotally movable from a normal position in which both of said elements are engaged with said formations, alternatively about said pivots in one direction only, spring means urging said second member toward its normal position, manually operable means connected to said second member at a point intermediate said elements and movable from a normal position corresponding to the normal position of said second member in opposite directions transverse to said axis, and a link pivotally connected to said second member at a point removed from said elements and adapted to be operatively connected to said latch mechanism.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 765,909 Voight July 26, 1904 2,138,251 Lindstrom et a1 Nov. 29, 1938 2,203,341 Roedding June 4, 1940 2,626,170 Nottingham Jan. 20, 1953 

